REVIEW - After reading a few of the reviews on Yelp for The Sugar Pine Smokehouse I wasn't expecting to be impressed but boy was in wrong,  as are many of these negative reviews.

From the moment my wife and I walked in we were wowed.  The little models all over the restaurant of old Madera landmarks were so cool. They have a model of the Rex Theater. To know about the Rex,  you have to be a real Maderan.

We were taken to our table and to be honest I am not sure what was there when it was Coolhand Luke's and what the new owners changed, but either way the decor fit nicely with lumber mill theme.

The menu has a nice selection of sandwiches and barbecue plates. I would have liked to have seen a large selection of steaks but it didn't take long to find one I wanted (New York). My wife went for the chicken (I know,  chicken in a beef restaurant?).

At first, I thought the steak was a little pricey,  then when it came it was a nice, perfectly cooked thick cut piece of meat. Even my wife's chicken was better than I thought it would be. Our portions were large enough,  at least half of our entrees went home in a box for later.

We got a choice of two sides,  I picked green beans and a garlic mash potatoes. OK, my wife picked green beans and I had french fries and mash potatoes (more starch). All were great,  even the few green beans I stole from my wife plate.

Will we return?  Most definitely!  This place is now on our night-out list. I look forward to exploring the menu,  especially the sandwiches and burgers during lunch hours. I don't think they can knock off the Vineyard Restaurant for best Bacon Cheeseburger in Madera but I am going to give theirs a try.

We will see.......